Soccer Digest: Benfica midfielder Augustin Binya has been banned for six Uefa matches following his red card for a high challenge on Scott Brown in the Champions League clash with Celtic.
Brown avoided injury but claimed Binya had tried to break his leg with the tackle in the 85th minute of the November 6th match at Parkhead, which Celtic won 1-0.
In a statement on uefa.com, European football's governing body's website, Binya's challenge was described as one which "seriously endangered the physical health of the opposing player".
Wanchope retires
Former Derby and West Ham striker Paulo Wanchope has called time on his 12-year career because of persistent injury problems. The Costa Rica striker has played for nine clubs but, having most recently turned out for Chicago Fire in the MLS, has decided his body is no longer up to the task.
The 31-year-old said: "Sadly, my last performances were far from good enough and I have taken the decision to retire."
Bruce gets green light
Birmingham are understood to have given manager Steve Bruce permission to speak to Wigan owner Dave Whelan. Birmingham chairman David Gold, co-owner David Sullivan and managing director Karren Brady held an emergency board meeting yesterday to discuss Wigan's approach.
The club are making no official statement but it is believed Bruce has been given the green light to hold talks with Whelan about becoming Chris Hutchings's replacement.
The former Manchester United captain is expected to be confirmed as Wigan's new boss early next week when he returns from holiday in Dubai. It will signal the end of Bruce's six-year spell in charge at St Andrews during which time he has twice led them to promotion to the Premier League.
Boy 'not freed'
The teenage brother of a Premier League football player kidnapped in Central America is still being held hostage, it was claimed yesterday. The 15-year-old brother of Birmingham City midfielder Wilson Palacios was taken from the family home in Honduras just over two weeks ago.
The club on Thursday released a statement which said that Edwin Rene Palacios had been freed by his kidnappers unharmed. But yesterday relatives and Honduran law enforcement officials denied he had been released.
"We don't know where this story came from, because the boy is still not free," police said yesterday.
In brief . .
Chelsea assistant coach Henk ten Catehas denied approaching Ronaldinhoto try to bring him to London . . . Arsenal's Jens Lehmannsaid yesterday he had received offers from other clubs since announcing last week that he was ready to move rather than sit on the bench . . . Cardiff'sboard have been told to pay up debts owed to the Swiss-based Langston Corporation or hand over control of the club. Langston, the club's main financial backers, initiated High Court proceedings against the club in August seeking repayment of a reported €33.5 million.
